“MS doesn’t quit, so neither do we.”
I spent most of 2025 planning, fundraising, and training for Ride for MS in Cambodia. Cambodia had been on my travel wish list for years, and when the chance came to bike through this incredible country while supporting Multiple Sclerosis NZ and MS South Canterbury, I jumped at it.
Everything was going perfectly: I had exceeded my fundraising goal, my training was on track, and I felt fit and healthy.
I was diagnosed with MS when I was 15, so over the years I’ve experienced my fair share of ups and downs, but recently my medication seemed to be keeping things stable. That was, until the week before I was due to head to Cambodia. I couldn’t believe it. I first noticed something was wrong when I dropped my cutlery, and when I went to pick it up, my hand couldn’t grip it. That had never happened before, and I was terrified. Next, my left leg and the area around my mouth went numb. Seven days until I was meant to leave. How would I bike? How would I hold the handlebars?
The next few days were a blur, with an emergency MRI, a course of high-dose steroids, and a whole lot of tears. I stayed in bed – training and work off the cards, desperately hoping for recovery. Mentally, I was at my lowest – terrified of what was happening to my body and heartbroken at the thought of missing the trip I’d worked so hard for.
Slowly, I regained some use of my hand. I could tie my hair and hold my toothbrush again! Things were looking up! The numbness lingered, but the day before departure, I decided: I was going. If I needed it, the support van would be there. The thought of staying home and watching the trip unfold without me was unbearable. MS doesn’t quit, so neither would I.
Day One: Testing My Limits
To say I was nervous getting onto the bike on day one is an understatement. This relapse had really shaken my confidence. While others adjusted seats and gears, I quietly took my bike aside for a test ride. Would my leg hold up? Would my hand grip? After a few circles, relief washed over me; I could do this.
Battling Heat and Symptoms
The next hurdle was the heat and humidity of Cambodia. That meant all my usual symptoms made sure they weren’t forgotten. Optic neuritis is something that flares for me when my body heats up – a symptom I’ve learned to manage over the years. When the days were particularly warm, I made sure to ride behind someone so I could follow their line and avoid any uneven surfaces I might have missed. I took regular breaks and drank plenty of chilled water to cool down. On the days it rained, I absolutely flew on the bike and felt a glimpse of a relatively normal body again. One day, after hours of biking in torrential rain, I stepped off the bike and realised – it was the first time my legs worked properly, and my vision was clear.
Moments That Mattered
Cambodia stole my heart. Villagers waved and shouted “hellllooooo” as we biked past. We explored stilt villages on Tonle Sap Lake, visited blacksmith families, received monk blessings, and danced to Chai Yam music at a community BBQ. I’ll never forget the sight of rice drying everywhere, on roads, in front of homes. One day, a lotus flower decorated my handlebars as we cycled the ancient royal highway through paddy fields and ancient bridges. We ended with the Phare Circus, watching incredible acrobatics. And then there was the Chambok tree in Siem Reap; a tree with a rotting trunk that still produces lush green leaves. It became my symbol of resilience. Like that tree, I refused to give up.
By the end of the ride, I was exhausted, muddy, and proud beyond words. MS tried to stop me, but I finished what I started.
Why This Ride Matters
This fundraiser means everything to me. I’ve been through three MS treatments, and options in NZ are limited. Two medications are Medsafe approved but not funded by Pharmac. Your donations help advocate for access to life-changing treatments – to stop damage and slow progression for people like me. Every dollar makes a difference.
This journey reminded me: MS is unpredictable, but so is our strength.
👉 Help make a difference. Donate today:
https://multiple-sclerosis-new-zealand.grassrootz.com/msnz-cambodia-2025?tab=leaderboard
First photo: In front of a rice paddy field in Dan Run village
Second photo: On our way to Parasat Beng Mealea after 4 hours biking in the rain
Third photo: At the Prasat Bakong temple, the earliest sandstone temple mountain in Siem Reap province
Fourth photo: Biking through Kien Sangkae rural communities on the way to the fishing village on the last day
Fifth photo: Shopping for local produce at a market in Krong, Siem Reap ahead of our cooking class